The Portland daily press., 1887-10-15
The YELLED PROPHET.
Description of the Gay and Mystic
rious Ceremonies Witnessed in st.
Louis by the President.
[st. Louis Globe-Democrat.l

lou Louio hiouS-OOihoSidt.1
As the hour of 10 approached, the expect
ant throng assembled in the Exchange Hall
turned their eyes toward the doorway, eager
ly watching for the advent of the mysterious
being from Khorassan, whose appearance
would be the signal for the commencement of
the festivities. They were not long left in
suspense, for suddenly blare of trumpets
was heard, and through the center door
slowly filed the mysterious potentate and his
followers. The tall turbans and waving BAN
nerS were seen above the heads of the crowd
and all the gaily attired concourse who had
assembled to 90 honor to the magnate whose
yearly visit is so eagerly anticipated by his
humble subjects on the banks of the Missis-
sippi, crowded toward the door, in order to
obtain as good view as possible of the mon
arch. The Prophet led the way, his attend
ants following by twos, the ranks dividing as
they passed through the door, one file, head
ed by the Prophet, moving north, and anoth-
er south. The way was cleared by host of
obsequious attendants, and the members of
the Grand Oracle's suite moved majestically
around the hall, with weapons glttering,
banners waving, and silks and jewels flash
ing. The entire circuit of the hall was made
IN this manner, each banner being dipped as
the cortege passed the platform upon which
was seated the President and his beautiful
wife.
The President was evidently greatly
pleased by the appearance of the magnif-
Gently costumed figures, and Mrs. Cleveland
bent forward as the line approached eagerly
speaking to Mrs. Seaman, and closely scan
ming each character as the procession slowly
moved past. The stately obeisance of the
Grand Oracle of the Yelled Prophets was ac-
knowledged by bow from both Mr.. and
Mrs. Cleveland, and the course of the march
was followed with much interest and pleas
ure by both.
A PRESENTATION TO THE PRESIDENT.
When the circuit of the hall had been COM
peted the two lines varied their programme
and moved in sinuous line through the
great hall, the people falling back before
them and closing up in the rear. BY slow
degrees the undulating line of march ap-
preached the north end of the room, where
the Presidential party had its place. AS the
moving figures drew near the head of the
procession slackened its pace, the line opened
out, the rear advanced with greater rapidity,
and soon all were drawn up in double rank
before the platform where sat the Chief Mag
istrate and his wife. At the same instant
every banner was dipped the warriors salut-
ed IN military style, the others made obeis-
ances, AID every head was bowed before
potentate more powerful than the mystic
monarch of the East
After the salute had been finished the Ora
Gle assembled the stairs leading to the plat
form and addressed few words to the Presi-
dent, welcoming him to the city where he
held rule, and bestowing upon him his in
sigum, a silver medal, bearing the effigies of
the Yelled Prophet and his following Turn
ing to Mrs. Cleveland he spoke of the honor
done him by the presence of so fair visit
ant and decorated her in similar manner
President Cleveland and his wife replied by
offering their thanks for the magnificent
pageant that they had witnessed, and ex-
pressing the hope that they might once more
meet the monarch of the Khorassan.
When the prophet had descended from the
platform and resumed his position at the
head of his followers, shrill whistle rang
through the hall, and instantly the huge
floral ball which was suspended Immediately
above the fountain sprang apart, and re-
vealed to the astonished spectators two SUI
perb balls, each as large as the original one.
This transformation attracted universal at
tention, and was loudly applauded Specula-
ton was rife as to how the feat OF legerde-
main could have been accomplished, and the
reduplication was voted the great success of
the evening. The whistle was evidently a
signal to the Prophets, as they at once faced
about and disappeared through the center
door where they had entered